Annex 6. Technical Conditions Concerning the Equipment of Motor Vehicles and Trailers in International Traffic

I. Braking

(a) Braking of motor vehicles other than motor cycle with or without site-cars

Every motor vehicle shall be equipped with brakes capable of controlling the movement of and of stopping the vehicle in an efficient, safe and rapid way under any conditions of loading on any up or down gradient on which the vehicle is operated.

The braking shall be operated means of two devices so constructed that, in the event of failure of one of the braking devices, the other shall be capable of stopping the vehicle within a reasonable distance.For the purpose of this annex, one this braking devices will be called “the service brake” and the other one the “parking brake”.

The parking brake shall be capable of being secured, even in the absence of the driver, by direct mechanical action.Either means of operation shall be capable of applying braking force to wheels symmetrically placed on each side of the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

The braking surfaces shall always be connected with the wheels of the vehicle in such a way that it is not possible to disconnect them otherwise than momentarily by means of a clutch, gear box or free wheel.

One at least of the braking devices shall be capable of acting on braking surfaces directly attached to the wheels of the vehicle or attached through parts cot liable to failure.

(b) Braking of trailers

Every trailer having a permissible maximum weight exceeding 750 kg {1,650 lbs.) shall be equipped with at least one braking device acting on wheels placed symmetrically on each side of the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and acting on at least half the number of wheels.The provisions of the preceding paragraph shall be required, however, in respect of trailers if the permissible maximum weight does not exceed 750 kg (1,650 lbs.) but exceeds one-half of the unladen weight of the drawing vehicle.The braking device of trailers with a permissible maximum weight exceeding 3,500 kg (7,700 lbs.) shall be capable of being operated by applying the “service brake” from the drawing vehicle. When the permissible maximum weight of the trailer does not exceed 3,500 kg (7,700 lbs.) its braking device may be brought into action merely by the trailer moving upon the drawing vehicle (overrun braking).The braking device of the trailer shall be capable of preventing the rotation of the wheels when the trailer is uncoupled.Any trailer equipped with a brake shall be fitted with a device capable of automatically stopping the trailer if it becomes detached whilst in motion. This provision shall not apply to two-wheeled camping trailers or light luggage trailers whose weight exceeds 750 kg (1,650 lbs.) provided that they are equipped in addition to the main attachment with a secondary attachment which may be a chain or a wire rope.

(c) Braking of articulated vehicles and combinations of motor vehicles and trailers

(i) Articulated vehicles

The provisions of paragraph (a) of this part shall apply to every articulated vehicle. A semi-trailer having a permissible maximum weight exceeding 750 kg (1,650 lbs.) shall be equipped with at least one braking device capable of being operated by applying the service brake from the drawing vehicle.The braking device of the semi-trailer shall, in addition, be capable of prevent¬ing the rotation of the wheels when the semi-trailer is uncoupled.When required by domestic regulations a semi-trailer equipped with a brake shall be fitted with a device capable of stopping automatically the semi trailer if it becomes detached whilst in motion.

(ii) Combinations of motor vehicles and trailers

Every combination of a motor vehicle and one or more trailers shall be equipped with brakes capable of controlling the movement of and of stopping the combination in an efficient, safe and rapid way under any conditions of loading on any up or down gradient on which it is operated.

(d) Braking of motor cycles with or without sidecars

Every motor cycle shall be equipped with two braking devices which may be operated by hand or foot, capable of controlling the movement of and of stop¬ping the motor cycle in an efficient, safe and rapid way.

II. Lighting

(a) Every motor vehicle other than a motor cycle with or without sidecar and capable of exceeding 20 km (12 miles) per hour on the level shall be equipped with at least two white or yellow driving lights, fitted in front, capable of adequately illuminating the road for a distance of 100 m (325 feet) in front of the vehicle at night time in clear weather.

(b) Every motor vehicle other than a motor cycle with or without sidecar and capable of exceeding 20 km (12 miles) per hour on the level shall be equipped with two white or yellow passing lightsfitted at the front of the vehicle and capable when necessary of adequately illuminating the road at night in clear weather in front of the vehicle for a distance of 30 m (100 feet) without causing glare or dazzle to other road users what ever the direction of the traffic may be.Passing lights shall be used instead of driving lights in all cases when the use of lights causing no dazzle or glare is necessary or compulsory.

(c) Every motor cycle with or without sidecar shall have at least one driving light and one passing light conforming to the provisions of (a) and (6) of this part. However, motor cycles with an engine of a maximum cylinder capacity of 50 ccm (3.05 cu. in.) may be excluded from this obligation.

(d) Every motor vehicle other than a motor cycle without sidecar shall be equipped with two white position (side) lights in the front. These lights shall be clearly visible at night time in clear weather at a distance of 150 m (500 feet) from the front of the vehicle without causing any glare or dazzle to other road users.The part of the illuminating surface of these lights furthest from the longitudinal axis of the vehicle shall be as near as possible to and in no case further than 400 m (16 in.) of the extreme outer edges of the vehicle. Position (side) lights shall be shown at night time in all cases when the use of such lights is compulsory and in the same time as the passing lights if no part of the illuminating surface of the lamps of the passing lights is within 400m (16 in.) of the extreme outer edges of the vehicle.

(e) Every motor vehicle and every trailer at the end of combination of vehicles shall be equipped at the rear with at list one red light visible at night time in clear weather at a distance of 150m (500 feet) from the rear of the vehicle.

(f) The registration number displayed at the rear of a motor vehicle or a trailer shall be capable of illumination at night time in such a manner that it can be read in clear weather at a distance of 20 m (65 feet) from the rear.

(g) The red rear light or lights and the light for the rear registration number shall be shown at the same time as any of die following: position (side) lights, passing lights or driving lights.

(h) Every motor vehicle other than a motor cycle without sidecar shall be equipped with two red reflex reflectors preferably of other than triangular form, fitted symmetrically at the rear and on opposite sides of the vehicle. The outer edges of each of these reflectors must be as near as possible to and in no case farther than 400 mm (16 in.) from the outer edges of the vehicle. These reflectors may be incorporated in the rear red lamps if these lamps comply with the above requirements. These reflectors shall be visible at night time in clear weather from a distance of at least 100 m (225 feet) when illuminated by means of two driving lights.

(i) Every motor cycle without sidecar shall be equipped with a red reflex re¬flector preferably of other than triangular form, fitted at the rear of the vehicle, either incorporated in, or separate from, the rear red lamp and shall comply with the conditions of visibility mentioned under paragraph (h) of this part.(j) Every trailer and every articulated vehicle shall be equipped with two red reflex reflectors, preferably triangular in shape, fitted symmetrically at the rear and on opposite sides of the vehicle. These reflectors shall be visible at night time in clear weather from a distance of at least 100 m (325 feet) when illuminated by means of two driving lights.When the reflectors are triangular in shape, the triangle shall be equilateral, with sides of at least 150 mm (6 in.) and shall be upright in position. The outer comer of each of these reflectors shall be as near as possible to and in no case further than 400 mm (16 in.) from the extreme outer edges of the vehicle.

(k) With the exception of motor cycles, every motor vehicle and every trailer at the end of a combination of vehicles shall be equipped with at least one stop light at the rear showing a red or amber light. This light shall be actu¬ated upon application of the service brake of the motor vehicle. If the stop light is red in colour and is either in-corporated in, or associated with, the rearred light, its intensity shall be greater that of the rear red light The stop light shall not be required on trailers and semi-trailers when their dimensions are such that the stop light of the drawing "vehicle remains visible from the rear.

(l) When a motor vehicle is equipped with direction indicators, such indicators shall be one of the following:(i) A movable aim protruding beyond each side of the vehicle and illumi-nated by a steady amber light when the arm is in the horizontal posi¬tion;(ii) A constantly blinking or flashing amber light affixed to each side of the vehicle;(iii) A constantly blinking or flashing light placed at each side of the front and rear of the vehicle. The colour of such lights shall be white or orange towards the front and red or orange towards the rear, (m) No lights, with the exception of direction indicators, shall be flashing or blinking lights.(n) If a vehicle is equipped with sev¬eral lights of the same kind, they shall be of the same colour and, except in the case of motor cycles with sidecars, two of these 1ights shall be placed symmetrically to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.(o) Several lights may be incorporated in the same lighting device pro¬vided each of these lights complies with the appropriate provisions of this part.

III. Other Conditions

(a) Steering apparatus

Every motor vehicle shall be equipped with a strong steering apparatus which will allow the vehicle to be turned easily, quickly and with certainty.

(b) Driving mirror

Every motor vehicle shall be equipped with at least one driving mirror of adequate dimensions so placed as to enable the driver to view from his seat the road to the rear of the vehicle. However, this provision shall not be compulsory for motor cycles with or without sidecar.

(c )Warning devices

Every motor vehicle shall be equipped with at least one audible warning device of sufficient strength which shall not be a bell, gong, siren or other strident toned device.

(d) Windscreen wiper

Every motor vehicle fitted with a wind-screen shall have at least one efficient windscreen wiper functioning without requiring constant control by the driver. However, this provision shall not be com-pulsory for motor cycles with or without sidecars.

(e) Windscreens

Windscreens shall be made of a stable substance, transparent and not likely to produce sharp splinters if broken. The objects seen through this substance shall not appear distorted.

(f) Reversing device

Every motor vehicle shall he equipped with a reversing device controlled from the driver’s seat if the weight of the motor vehicle when empty exceeds 400 kg (900 lbs.).

(g) Exhaust silencer

Every motor vehicle shall have an exhaust silencer in constant operation to prevent excessive or unusual noise, the working of which cannot be interrupted by the driver while on the road.

(h) Tires

The wheels of motor vehicles and their trailers shall be fitted with pneumatic tires, or with some other tires of equivalent elasticity.

(i) Device to prevent a vehicle from running down a gradient

When travelling in a mountainous region of a country where it is required by domestic regulations, any motor vehicle of which the permissible maximum weight exceeds 3,500 kg (7,700 lbs.) shall carry a device, such as a scotch or chock, which can prevent the vehicle from running backwards or forwards.

(j) General provisions

(i) In so far as possible the machinery or accessory equipment of any motor vehicle shall not entail a risk of fire or explosion, nor cause the emission of noxious gases or offensive odours or produce disturbing noises, nor be a source of danger in case of collision.(ii) Every motor vehicle shall be so constructed that the driver shall be able to see ahead, to the right and to the left, clearly enough to enable him to drive safely.(iii) The provisions relating to braking and lighting shall not apply to invalid carriages which comply with the domestic regulations in the country of registration as regards brakes, lights and reflectors. For the purpose of this paragraph “invalid carriage” shall mean a motor vehicle whose unladen weight does not exceed 300 kg (700 lbs.) whose speed does not exceed 30 km (19 miles) per hour, and which is specially designed and constructed (and not merely adapted) for the use of a person suffer-ing from some physical defect or dis¬ability and is normally used by such person.

IV. Combination of Vehicles

(a) A “combination of vehicles” may be composed of a drawing vehicle and one or two trailers. An articulated vehicle may draw a trailer, but if such articuated vehicle is used for the carriage of passengers, the trailer shall have not more than one axle and shall not carry passengers.(b) Any Contracting State may, however, indicate that it will only permit that one trailer be drawn by a vehicle and that it will permit an articulated vehicle to draw a trailer. It may also indicate that it will not permit articulated vehicles for the transport of passengers.

V. Transitional Provisions

The provisions of parts I, II, and paragraph (e) of part III of this annex shall apply to any motor vehicle first registered at any time subsequent to a date two years after the entry into force of this Convention, and to any trailer drawn thereby. The said provisions shall apply five years after the entry into force of this Convention to any motor vehicles first registered at any time previous to a date two years after the entry into force of this Convention, and to any trailer.In the meantime the following provisions shall apply:(a) Every motor vehicle shall be equipped with either two systems of brakes, independent of each other, one system of brakes with two independent means of operation, of which one means of operation will function, even if the other fails to function, provided that in all case the system used is really effective and rapid in action.(b) Every motor vehicle travelling alone shall, during the night and from sunset, be fitted in front with at least two white lights placed one on the right and the other on the left, and, at the back, with a red light.For motor cycles unaccompanied by a side-car, the number of lights in front may be reduced to one.(c) Every motor vehicle shall also be equipped with one or more devices capable of effectively illuminating the road for a sufficient distance ahead unless the two white lights prescribed above already fulfil this condition.If the vehicle is capable of proceeding at a speed greater than 30 km (19 miles) an hour this distance shall not be less than 100 m (325 feet).(c) Lamps which may produce a dazzling effect shall be provided with means for eliminating the dazzling effect when other users of the road are met, or on any occasion when such elimination would be useful. The elimination of the dazzling effect shall, however, leave suf¬ficient light to illuminate the road clearly for at least 25 m (80 feet).(e) Motor vehicles drawing trailers shall be subject to the same regulations as separate motor vehicles in so far as forward lighting is concerned; the rear red light shall be carried on the back of the trailer.